2015 jeep renegade Model Overview

Vehicle Overview

Well isn’t this just the cutest little Jeep you ever did see? The 2015 Jeep Renegade is all-new for the 2015 model year. The Renegade is the latest product in the joint Chrysler-Fiat marriage. While it replaces the Jeep Compass and Patriot here in the States, it was designed primarily with Europe in mind. Built on the heavily-modified bones of the Fiat Panda 4×4 (and 500L), the Jeep Renegade still promises to be a real Jeep. A 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 making 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque will be standard here in the U.S., while a 2.4-liter 184 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque I-4 will be optional. A six-speed manual will be standard while a nine-speed automatic is optional. Front-drive is also standard, but an all-wheel drive system and a true four-wheel drive system will also be available.

As was the case with the Compass and Patriot, the Jeep Renegade will come in trims ranging from city slicker-spec, to Rubicon Trail warrior. Base Renegades won’t be suitable for much more than inclement weather in the urban jungle, but the Renegade Trailhawk is off-road ready, with a suspension lift, a transmission optimized for off-roading, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system, which is designed to make off-roading easier. The Renegade Trailhawk also promises to look the part with a tougher exterior design.

Although the Jeep Renegade will be built by Fiat in Italy, it’s loaded with the design cues that have made Jeep one of the most iconic brands of all-time. The Renegade sports Jeep’s signature round headlights and seven-slat grille, a door line reminiscent of the Wrangler and original Willys MB, and even removable roof panels, giving the Renegade an almost convertible-like feel.

Fuel economy is respectable for the class in the 2015 Renegade, with the base model achieving 24/31 mpg city/highway in both front- and four-wheel-drive guise; however, the turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4 with Multiair requires premium fuel. Opting for the front-drive 2.4-liter equipped Renegade doesn’t come at a large cost in fuel economy thanks in part to the nine-speed automatic gearbox, allowing it to achieve 22/31 mpg in front-drive guise and 21/29 mpg with four-wheel drive.

Available in all but the base Sport trim, the Safety and Security Group I adds blind spot warning with cross path detection. The Advanced Technology Group adds forward automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, and lane departure warning but is only available in the Latitude and Limited trims.

What We Think

Despite its small footprint and cutesy looks, the 2015 Jeep Renegade is capable on- and off-road. In a First Drive, we noted that ride quality is well-sorted and compliant while the nine-speed automatic while the nine-speed automatic that comes paired with the 2.4-liter I-4 is much improved and shifts quickly and smartly. Even though it isn’t as capable as off-road-focused vehicles like the Wrangler, the Renegade Trailhawk model is capable of traversing difficult terrain such steep, rocky hills and dirt roads with ease, proving that it’s infused with Jeep’s legendary off-road DNA. Even though it’s the least expensive Jeep, the 2015 Renegade’s interior is well-built, featuring high-quality materials and controls that are within the driver’s reach. Cabin space is also generous for four passengers while the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats improve the baby Jeep’s flexibility when it comes to carrying cargo.

New for 2015

Though the Jeep Renegade will be new when it hits streets this year, the sum of its parts are tried and true in the rest of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles family. The Renegade’s bones are shared with the Fiat 500L, its engines are shared with the Dodge Dart, its nine-speed transmission with the Chrysler 200, and its all-wheel drive system with the Jeep Cherokee. Talk about a melting pot.

You’ll Like

The off-road ready Renegade Trailhawk

An expected $20,000 starting price

Fuel efficient powertrains

Iconic design

You Won’t Like

Being the “baby” of the Jeep family

Not all Renegades will be off-road capable

The Buy America crowd won’t be thrilled to learn that this Jeep is built in Italy, not Ohio.

Your hub for horsepower
Get first access to hit shows like Roadkill and Dirt Every Day

2015 Jeep Renegade Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$17,995

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$14,525

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2015-08-12

Description

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured September 18, 2014, to June 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R45.

Units Affected

7810

Recall ID#16E013000 - SUSPENSION:REAR

Consequence

If the axle moves there could be an increased risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2016-02-18

Description

Daystar Products International, Inc. (Daystar) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement rear control arm brackets included in Daystar's 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade 1.5" spacer kit, part KJ09168BK, shipped from Daystar to distributors between October 27, 2015 and November 5, 2015. The affected spacers may have improper or incomplete welds on the top flange on the rear control arm bracket, that can allow the rear axle to shift while driving.

Remedy

Daystar will notify owners, and direct them to repair shops to have the brackets inspected and replaced as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2016. Owners may contact Daystar customer service at 1-623-907-0081 or by email at Jbilyeu@daystarweb.com. Daystar's number for this recall is 16-01.

Units Affected

50

Recall ID#16V529000 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Consequence

If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2016-07-12

Description

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.

Units Affected

329540

Recall ID#16V545000 - TRAILER HITCHES

Consequence

Without the proper amount of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2016-07-20

Description

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package. The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with only a single fastener per side, not three per side as required.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S62.

2015 Jeep Renegade News and Reviews

We Like: Its infectious personality, value sticker price, interior packaging. We Don’t Like: The underwhelming power, transmissions, off-road performance. The Jeep Renegade was a strong contender. It’s as stylish as its country of origin (Italy). It offers two engines, transmissions, and drivetrains. It promises real Jeep off-road performance with Trail Rated variants available starting at an affordable price of just…

The line between luxury and mainstream has officially been blurred. In the U.S. market, luxury car brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW have moved down market to try to pick up sales that would otherwise go to mainstream automakers. On the other hand, brands such as Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Honda have been introducing products that punch above their weight…

There's a theory in the study of generations that after a set time the traits that define one generation repeat for a future generation. I'd argue that the auto market responds to the same generational shifts. Take a look at the average car that someone in the 1930s would drive, such as the Chevrolet Standard Six. Cars were two-box sedans…

Mighty 707-hp Hellcat-powered Dodges are great, but there aren't always enough public places to safely exploit that capability before congested roads hamper your fun. Enter cars with 200 hp or less. Unlike the Bugatti Veyron, which has an instrument cluster gauge indicating how much of the car's astounding 1,000+ hp you're wasting at any given moment, plenty of cars below…

Ward's Auto has revealed the winners for its 10 Best Interiors for 2015. Only two of the winners are from luxury car manufacturers and the rest are from mainstream brands. This shows that non-luxury brands are making great progress in interior build quality, and it's good news for customers who don't have to spend a fortune to get a vehicle…